WWII Veterans will take part as the 80th Commemoration of the End of WWII Launches on Saturday, August 30th at Pearl Harbor to Honor the Service of our Greatest Generation

"This will be one of our last opportunities to remember in-person the heroes of World War II," said Linda Hope, Chair and CEO of the Commemoration's Presenting Sponsor, the Bob & Dolores Hope Foundation. "It is our privilege to pay tribute to the valor and sacrifice of those who served in our military during World War II, as well as to the everyday Americans on the home front who also sacrificed to help restore peace to the world. We are proud to salute the service and honor the hope of our Greatest Generation."

The Bob & Dolores Hope Foundation and the Gary Sinise Foundation have joined together with the Battleship Missouri Memorial and Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum for the commemoration in Pearl Harbor, which will ensure that the legacy of service and sacrifice of our WWII heroes is carried forward, inspiring the next generation.

A total of 23 WWII Veterans will be participating in various Commemoration activities.

John Gleeson, a Staff Sergeant with the U.S. Army Air Forces during WWII, said, "Even when Germany was defeated, we knew the war wasn't finished. I remember checking over our airplane and getting ready to head to Japan. Then not too long after, Japan surrendered. And it was all over. Was it worth it? I thought it was. Was I proud that I contributed? You bet." 

World War II Veterans will attend the Commemoration Concert at Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum include seven USS Missouri crewmembers who witnessed the Japanese surrender on September 2, 1945:

• Delmar Beard, U.S. Navy & U.S. Army —Arizona
• Andrew Bostinto, U.S. Army —Florida
• Charles Braun, U.S. Army Air Forces — Texas
• Charles Hiliard Cram, U.S. Navy —California
• Joe Etheredge, U.S. Army — California
• John Gleeson, U.S. Army Air Forces — Hawaii
• Harry Hammer, U.S. Army & Navy Reserves — California
• Nils Mockler, U.S. Marine Corps — New York
• Lester Schrenk, U.S. Army Air Forces —Minnesota
• Arthur Shak, U.S. Army Air Forces — Hawaii
• Leon Silverman, U.S. Navy — California
• Bill Stewert, U.S. Army Air Forces — California
• Jack E. Stowe, U.S Navy — Texas
• James Tucker, U.S. Navy — California
• Patrick Zilliacus, U.S. Navy — California

USS Missouri crewmembers attending the concert include:

• AERM3c Doyle Boothroy, US Navy – Virginia
• Y3c Lee Broussard, US Navy – Louisiana
• S1c Judge Davis, US Navy – Tennessee
• S1c John DeLeo, US Navy – Rhode Island
• EM2c Robert Kennedy, US Navy – New York
• S2c Thomas Schoenecker, US Navy – New York
• FC2c Robert Somrak, US Navy – Ohio

The WWII Veterans listed above will  experience the Commemoration at no cost to them through the efforts of the non-profit organizations Beyond The Call & You Were Worth IT Foundation and the Battleship Missouri Memorial and Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum."We remain committed to bringing these heroes back to Pearl Harbor and their battlefields as long as they are willing and able," said Tracie Hunter, President & Founder of WWII Beyond the Call. "We deeply value partners like Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum who help make these trips so meaningful and memorable for our Veterans."

On September 2, 1945, dignitaries gathered on the deck of the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay to witness the signing of the Instrument of Surrender that brought the global conflict to an end. Eighty years later, on September 2, 2025, the official Commemoration Ceremony on the pier adjacent to the Surrender Deck of the Battleship Missouri Memorial will honor that historic day, welcoming USS Missouri veterans who were present for the ceremony that shaped a more peaceful future.

On September 2, the 80th Anniversary of the End of World War II, a total of 23 WWII veterans will be honored, including the eight USS Missouri crewmembers who stood on deck during the historic surrender ceremony in Tokyo Bay.

The USS Missouri WWII Veterans that will return to the Mighty Mo for the Commemoration Ceremony on September 2 including the USS Missouri crewmembers listed above, plus GM2 Edgar "Ed" Buffman, US Navy — Pennsylvania.

The four-day Commemoration will feature many public events staged at the Battleship Missouri Memorial and the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum. For information on the full schedule of events and how to participate, visit USSMissouri.org/endofwwii or www.PearlHarborAviationMuseum.org.

About Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum
Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum (PHAM) is more than a museum—it's a place where history, innovation, and inspiration come together. A Smithsonian Affiliate, PHAM has been named one of the nation's top aviation museums by Travel & Leisure Magazine. Located on Historic Ford Island, the site of the December 7, 1941 attack, the Museum stands on America's first World War II aviation battlefield. Visitors can walk through bullet-scarred hangars, see legendary aircraft like the Japanese Zero and B-17 Swamp Ghost, and hear the powerful stories of the heroes who changed the course of history. Beyond preserving the past, (PHAM) is committed to shaping the future. Through youth programs, scholarships, and workforce development initiatives, the Museum educates and empowers the next generation. From signature events like PHAMily Fun Day to hands-on STEM experiences, flight simulators and more, the Museum connects people of all ages with the wonder of flight and the importance of history. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Museum relies on donations, volunteers, and members to fulfill its mission: to steward America's WWII aviation battlefield and inspire future generations through education and remembrance. Join us, support our work, or plan your visit at PearlHarborAviationMuseum.org

About Battleship Missouri Memorial
Since opening in January 1999, the Battleship Missouri Memorial has attracted more than 10-million visitors from around the world with a fascinating tour experience showcasing the USS Missouri's unique place in history. Located a ship's length from the USS Arizona Memorial, the Mighty Mo completes a historical visitor experience that begins with the "day of infamy" and sinking of the USS Arizona in Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, and ends with Japan's formal surrender aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945.

The USS Missouri had an astounding career over five decades and three wars – World War II, the Korean War, and Desert Storm – after which it was decommissioned and donated to the USS Missouri Memorial Association, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The Association operates the Battleship Missouri Memorial as a historic attraction and oversees her care and preservation with the support of visitors, memberships, grants, and donations.  The Battleship Missouri Memorial is open daily. For information or reservations, call (808) 455-1600 or visit USSMissouri.org.

About Bob & Dolores Hope Foundation
Bob and Dolores Hope Foundation (BobHope.org) supports organizations that bring "HOPE" to those in need and those who served to protect our nation. The Foundation also supports charitable organizations that preserve and honor the legacy of Bob Hope as an American entertainer, humanitarian, patriot, sportsman and supporter of military personnel and their families.

SOURCE Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum